Center-bearing for cars.



Patented Nov. 4, 1913.

2 SHBETSHSHEBT l.

@Moulton B. D. LOCKWOOD.

CENTER BEARING FOR GARS.

APPLICATION FILED 11Bc.21, 1911.

B. D. LOGKWOOD.

CENTER BEARING FOR GARS.

E) the claims it UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BURNS D. EDGKWOOD, BELLEVUE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T PRESSED STEEL CAR COMPANY, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA. A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

CENTER-BEARING FOR CARS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed December 21, 1,911.

Serial N o. 567,249.'

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, BURNS D. Locnwoon, a citizen of the United States, residing at No.' 444 Dawson avenue, Bellevue, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Center-Bearings for Cars, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompan. ing drawings, forming part of this speci cation.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in center bearings for railway cars the object being to provide means whereby the center bearing may be adjusted in a vertical direction relative to the underframe of the car, to compensate for wear of the center bearing, or the sagging or distortion of the end portion of the car and its under-frame.

Another object of my invention is to rovide means whereby the coupler head not shown) resting in or depending from the end sill may be adjusted to 'substantially its normal height above the track rails, when for any reason, such as wear of jour nals and journal bearings, set of springs or distortion of the end of `the car, the height of the coupler head above the track rails is outside .the permissible iirnits prescribed bythe safety appliance act of 1893, and amendments thereto of 1896 and 1903.

With these .objects in view, the invention consists in providing tbe upper portion of the center bearing member with a screw thread on its .cylindrical surface, .such screw thread coperating with a corresponding screw thread formed in a member which is secured to the bolster and draft sill members of the nnderframe.

Another feature .of the invention resides in the means for locking the bearing member in its adjusted position, and still other features of the invention reside in the construction, arrangement and combination of the several parts, all as will hereinafter be described, and afterward pointed out in being understood that changes in .the form, proportion, size and minordetails may be made wit-hin the scope of the claims, Without .departi from the spirit or sacrificing .any of the a vantages of the invention.

In the drawings,- in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts,

throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a part plan view of an underframe, `showing the application of my new center bearing in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a part longitudinal-sectional view, the section being taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal-sectional view taken on line 3`3 of ,F ig. 2; Fig 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is an enlarged crosssectional View taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, and Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional View taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

1 indicates the center sill, which for the purpose of illustration is shown of the single structural type, and composed of a web plate 2, compression angle bars 3 and 4, and tension angle bars 5 and 6 all secured to the web plate .2.

7 and 8 indicate the two component members of the body bolster the main body portions of which are shown of substantially I section, it being understood that they may be made of any preferred form to suit the type .of underframe and trucks which it is contemplated to use. They are furnished with side bearings 9, 9, and means 10, 10 for supporting the side sills, 11, 11. The ends of the bolster members adjacent to the center sill, ,are provided With extensions 12, 12 at substantially right angles to their main body, .adapted to .contact with and be secured to the end portions 13 of the center sill web plate 2. These extension portions of the bolster members are further provided with suitabie flanges with, and be secured to, the horizontal flanges of .the .compression .angle bars, 3, 4 and tension vamgle bars 5,Y 6, as shown in Fig. 5. The portion 15 of the body bolster members, intermediate the main body portion and the flange portions 12, 12, is disposed at an .angle of substantially forty-.live degrees, for a purpose hereinafter referred to and described in detail.

16, 16 indica-tes the draft sills which for the purpose of illustration are shown as being made in two pieces. These draft sills are .shown of channel section, but may be made .of any other suitable section, to compiy ,with the various conditions .existing in the .underframe ,of the car. For the purpose of ,securing Athe draft sill members to the bolster members, .the latter are each provided With an extension member 17,'d?, ex-

Patented Nov.- 4, 1913;

14, 14, adapted to contact tending substantially in the direction of the longitudinal center line of the car, parallel and in contact with the web portions 18, 18 of the draftl sills, and adapted to be secured to each other as shown in Fig. 3. The draft sill members are further provided with upper flanges 20 adapted to contact with and be secured .to the top tie plate hereinafter referred to, and with bottom flanges 21 adapted to contact with and be secured to the flanges on the lower side of the member 25, adapted to receive the center bearing member. The ends 24, 24 of the draft sill members 16, 16, adjacent to the bolster members are disposed at an angle of substantially forty five degrees, for a purpose hereinafter referred to and described in detail.

For the reception of the center bearing member, a hollow member 25 is provided, having the sides of its outer surface shaped to correspond' with the portion 15, 15 of the body bolster, and with the ends 24, 24 of the draft sills, bolts 26, 26, being passed through the said portions of the bolster and draft sill members and through the member 25, to secure them together. The lower portion of the member 25 is provided With-flanges 27, extending in the direction of the center sill, bolsters and draft sill, and secured to the lower side of the flanges of the said members. The upper end 28 of the member 25, is of cylindrical form and shaped in such a manner as to engage with a corresponding aperture in a tie-plate 29, which extends over andv is secured to portions of the upper anges of the center sills, bolster members and draft sill members, and forming a very effective additional means of retaining the member 25 in its normal position. The member 25 as mentioned above is hollow, throughout its length, and is provided for a considerable portion of its length with a spiral projection 30, which are, in effect a female screw thread.

The center bearing member shown in vertical section in Figs. 2 and 4, consists of the bearing member 31 which may be of any preferred form and contour, and an upwardly extending or stem portion 32. The stem portion 32 is shown of hollow cylindrical form to reduce its weight and admit of the insertion of the king pin, and is provided on its outer surface with a spiral projection 33, which forms in effect a screw thread of size, proportions and pitch corresponding to that provided in the cylindrical opening 19 in member 25. Holes 22 are provided in the stem portion of the center bearing member to permit of the insertion of a bar or other suitable tool for the purpose of revolving the center bearing member on its vertical axis, when for any reason it is desired to change the height of the underframe relative to the lower face 34, of the center bearing member, by screwing the stem `to lower the underframe,

of the said member farther into the opening or vice versa to raise the underframe, the weight of the car body and underframe, on the lower or truck center bearing, being first relieved by jacks or other suitable means.

For the purpose of preventing accidental rotation of the center bearing in its screw socket and locking the stem of the center bearing member in the desired vertical position relative to the underframe, a slot 35 is provided in the member V25, through which a locking member 36 may be passed, one end o-f the locking member being adapted to engage with vertical slots 37, which are pro vided in the screw thread portion of the bearing members 31, the other end of the locking member being secured by a bolt or other suitable means to the lower horizontal flange 27 of the member 25.

38 indicates the end sill which may be of any preferred construction, but which is shown in the drawings as being formed of a rolled channel, reinforced by an angle bar 39. Gusset plates, 40, 40 are secured to the lower flanges of the bolster and draft sills, and gussetl plates 41, 41 lare secured to the lower fianges of the side sills and end sills, the end portion of the underframe being braced against deformation by the diagonal braces 42, 42, extending from gusset plate 40 to gusset plate 41, at each corner of the underframe.

Having thus I claim and desire ent is 1. In a car underframe, the combination with a center' bearing, of a hollow member adapted to receive described my invention, what to secure by Letters Patsaid center bearing, said member being secured to said underframe, and means passed through said hollow member adapted to engage with said center bearing.

2. In a car underframe, the combination with a center bearing, of a hollow member adapted to receive said center bearing in its hollow portion, said member being secured to said `underframe, and means passed through said hollow member adapted to engage with said center bearing.

3. In a car underframe, the combination with an adjustable center bearing, of a member adapted to receive said center bearing, said member being secured in said underframe, and means passed through said member adapted to engage with said center bearing to hold it in preferred adjusted position.

4.` In a car underframe, the combination with an adjustable center bearing, of a member adapted to receive said center bearing, said member being secured to said underframe, and means passed through said member adapted to engage with said center bearing to hold it in preferred adjusted position.

5. ln la car underframe, the combination 'with an adjustable center bearing, of a hollow member adapted to receive said center bearing, said member being secured in said underframe, and means passed through said hollow member adapted to engage with said center bearing to hold it in preferred adjusted position.

6. In a ear underframe, the combination with a center sill, bolster and draft sill, of a. vertically adjustable center bearing, and a member adapted to receive said center bearing, said member being Secured to said bol- Ster.

7. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, bolster and draft sill, of a vertically adjustable center bearing, and a member adapted to receive said center bearing, said member being secured to said draft sill.

8. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, bolster and draft sill, of a vertically adjustable center bearing, and a member adapted to receive said center bearing, said member being secured to said center sill.

9. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, bolster and draft sill, of a vertically adjustable center bearing, and a member adapted to receive said center bearing, said member being secured to said bol` ster and draft sill.

10. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, bolster and draft sill, of a vertically adjustable center bearing, and a member adapted to receive said center bearing, said member being secured between said bolster and draft sill.

11. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, bolster and draft sill, of a vertically adjustable center bearing, and a member adapted to receive said center bearing, said member being secured to said center sill, bolster and draft sill.

12. In a car underframe, the combination With a bolster and draft sill, of a vertically adjustable center bearing, and a. member adapted to receive said cente`r bearing, said member being secured to said bolster and draft sill.

13. In a car underframe, the combination with a bolster and draft sill, of a vertically adjustable center bearing, and a member adapted to receive said center bearing, said member being secured to said draft sill.

14. In a car underframe, the combination with a bolster and draft sill, of a vertically adjustable center bearing, and a member adapted to receive said center bearing, said member being secured to said bolster.

15. In a car underframe, the combination with a bolster and draft sill, of a vertically adjustable center bearing, and a member adapted to receive said center bearing, said member being secured between said bolster and draft sill.

y with a 16. In a car underframe, the combination with a center bearing having an upper portion provided with a screw thread, of a hollow member having a screw thread on its inner surface adapted to engage with the screw thread on the upper portion of the bearing member, and a bolster and draft sill to which said hollow member is secured.

17. In a car underframe, the combination with a center bearing having an upper portion provided with a screw thread, of a hollow member having a screw threadv on its inner surface adapted to engage with the screw thread on the upper portion of the center bearing member, said hollow member being secured to said underframe, and means passed through said hollow member adapted to engage with said center bearing.

18. In a car underframe, the combination cen-ter bearing having an upper portion provided with a screw thread, of a hollow member having a screw thread on its inner surface adapted to engage with the screw thread on the upper portion of the center bearing member, said hollow member being secured in said underframe, and means passed through said hollow member adapted to engage with the screw thread on said center bearing member.

. 19. In a car underframe, the combination with a center bearing member, of a holle-w member adapted to receive said center bearing member, and to be secured to said underframe, and means passed through said hollow member adapted to engage with said center bearing member.

20. In a car underframe, the combination of a center bearing member, of a hollow member adapted to receive said center bea-ring member, said hollow member forming a portion .of said underframe and means passed through said hollow member adaptled to engage with said center bearing mem- 2l. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, draft sill and bolster, of a hollow member interposed between and secured to said .center sill, draft sill and bolster, and a center bearing member adapted to tit in and be secured to said hollow member.

22. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, draft sill and bolster, of a hollow member secured between said center sill, draft sill and bolster, a center bearing member adapted to fit in said hollow member, and means for securing said center bearing to said hollow member.

23. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, draft sill and bolster, of a hollow member interposed between and secured t-o said center sill, draft sill and bolster, an adjustable center bearing member adaptedv to lit in said hollow member and means passed through said hollow member with a center sill, draft sill and bolster, of a hollow member secured to said center sill, draft sill and bolster, screw threads within said hollow member, an adjustable center bearing, screw threads formed on said center bearing, said threaded members being adapted to engage with each other and effect an adjustment of said center bearing relative to said underframe.

33; In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, draft sill and bolster, of a hollow member secured to said center sill, draft sill and bolster, screw threads within said hollowT member, an adjustable center bearing, screw threads formed on said cen ter bearing, said threaded'members being adapted to engage with each other and effect an adjustment of said center bearing relative to said underframe, and means adapted to engage and lock said center bearing within said hollow member.

34. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, draft sill and bolster, of a hollow member secured to said center sill, draft sill and bolster, a center bearing adapt ed to fit within said hollow member and means on said hollow member and center bearin adapted to engage with each other and e ect an adjustment of said center bearing relative to said underframe.

35. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, draft sill and bolster, of a hollow member secured to said center sill, draft sill and bolster, a center bearing adapted to it within said hollow member and means on said hollow member and center bearing adapted to engage with each other and effect an adjustment of said center bearing relative to said underframe, and means independent of said underframe adapted to lock said center bearing in preferred adjusted position.

36. In a car underframe, the combination with a hollow member secured thereto and adapted to receive a center bearing, and means between said center bearing and ho low member adapted to e`ect an adjustment of said center bearing relative to said underframe.

37. In a car underframe, the combination with a hollow member secured thereto and adapted to receive a center bearing, and means between said center bearing and hol low member adapted toV effect an adjustment of said center bearing relative to said underframe, and means on said hollow member adapted to engage said center bearing an lock it in preferred adjusted position.

38. In a car underframe, a hollow member having screw threads formed therein secured to said underframe, of a center bearing member, screw threads formed on said center bearing member adapted to engage with the screw threads formed in said hol low member and effect an adjustment of adapted to engage with said center bearing member to hold it in preferred adjusted position.

24. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, draft sill and bolster, of a vertically adjustable center bearing, a member secured to said center sill, draft sill and bolster adapted to receive said center bearing member and means for holding said. center bearing in preferred adjusted position.

25. In a car underframe, the combination with the center sill, draft sill and bolster, ot' a vertically adjustable center bearing, a member secured to said center sill, draft sill and bolster adapted to receive said center bearing member and means passed through said member and engaging with said center bearing member.

26. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, draft sill and bolster, of a vertically adjustable center bearing member, of a member secured to said bolster adapted to receive said center bearing member and means for holding said center bearing member in preferred adjusted position.

27. In a ca r underframe, the combination with a center sill, draft sill and bolster, of a vertically adjustable center bearing, a member secured to said draft sill adapted to receive said center bearing, and means passed through said member adapted to engage with said center bearing.

28. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, draft sill and bolster, of a vertically adjustable center bearing, a member secured to said center sill adapted to receive said center bearing, and means on said member adapted to engage with said center bearing.

29. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, draft sill and bolster, of a vertically adjustable center bearing, a member secured to said bolster and draft sill adapted to receive said center bearing and means secured to said member adapted to engage with said center bearing. 30. In a car underframe, the combination with a center sill, draft sill and bolster, of a hollow member having screw threads formed therein, secured to said center sill, draft sill and bolster, an adjustable center bearing member having screw threads formed therein adapted to engage with the screw threads within said hollow member, and means on said hollow member adapted to engage with said center bearing member and lock it in preferred adjusted position.

31. In a car underframe, the combination with a vertically adjustable center bearing, of a hollow member adapted to receive said center bearing, and means independent of said underframe adapted to lock said center bearing in preferred adjusted position.

32. In a car underframe, the combination said center bearing relative to said underframe, and means on said hollow member adapted to engage and lock said center bearing in preferred adjusted position.

39. In a car underframe, the combination with a hollow member secured to said underframe, of a center bearing member having a slot formed therein, means connecting said hollow member and center bearing member and means adapted to engage said slot and 10 lock said center bearing in preferred adjusted position.`

In testimony whereof I ax my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BURNS D. LOCKWOOD. Witnesses:

FRANK E. MILLER, LELA M. GRUNDER. 

